Course Descriptions
NESC 4050 Topics in Perception
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
PREREQUISITES:
NESC 3051.03/
PSYO 3051.03 or instructor's consent
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4050.03
NESC 4070 Chemical Neurobiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The goal is to acquaint the student with neurotransmitters (excitatory amino acids, acetylcholine, monoamines, neuropeptides). Anatomical, biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, behavioral, and clinical aspects of individual neurotransmitter systems are discussed. Lectures are given by the instructors. Students are expected to write an examination and a review, and give a presentation.
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
PREREQUISITES:
NESC 2470.03/
PSYO 2470.03 and
NESC 2570.03/
PSYO 2570.03, or instructor's consent
CROSS-LISTING:
NESC 5070.03
NESC 4130 Topics in Cognition
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4130.03
NESC 4140 Animal Learning Topics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
NOTES:
PSYO 2140.03/
NESC 2140.03 recommended
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4140.03
NESC 4160 Topics in Behavioural Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
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FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4160.03
NESC 4170 Topics in Behavioural Neuroendocrinology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4170.03
RESTRICTIONS: Restricted to NESC/PSYO Honours Students
NESC 4177 Theoretical Neuroscience
CREDIT HOURS: 3
An introduction to basic concepts and research questions in computational neuroscience. This includes cellular mechanisms such as spike generation and synaptic plasticity, network-level concepts such perceptrons and associative attractor networks, and system-level concepts such as memory, learning and anticipation. This course includes an introduction to MATLAB programming.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
PREREQUISITES: Intended for third- or fourth-year Neuroscience students.
NESC 4185 Synaptic Function and Plasticity
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Key recent research studies in cellular and system neurophysiology are presented and critically discussed. Emphasis is placed on plasticity, synaptic function, excitability, dendritic integration, neural networks and relevant advances in experimental methods. Newly published papers within these areas are reviewed weekly, followed by a more extensive critique of two publications.
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
PREREQUISITES:
NESC 2570/
PHYL 2570 or permission of course instructors
CROSS-LISTING:
PHYL 4000.03
NESC 4225 The Science of Mindfulness
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This seminar focuses on the scientific literature relating to the concept, and practice of, mindfulness. Topics explore the effects of mindfulness practice on the brain, cognition, the immune system, addiction, emotion regulation, interpersonal relations, pain, and stress. Critical evaluation of the literature is emphasized.
FORMAT: Seminar
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4225
RESTRICTIONS: Requires permission of instructor
EXCLUSIONS: PSYO 6225.03,
PSYO 4001.03 (offered in 2017/18, 18/19, 19/20)
NESC 4230 Human Performance Topics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4230.03
NESC 4501 Honours Thesis I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Under a staff member’s supervision, each student conducts original research in psychology. Students meet as a class to describe their proposed research and progress. A formal written report of the completed research is required. The final grade is based on originality and skill with emphasis on the written and oral reports. Please note: admission requires that the student has secured a willing supervisor.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED.
NOTES: This course must be taken in the same academic year as
NESC 4502.03 and no credit can be given for one course without the other. The work undertaken in
NESC 4502.03 should be a continuation of that initiated in
NESC 4501.03. A grade will be given for
NESC 4501.03 only after
NESC 4502.03 is completed.
FORMAT:
- Lecture
- Lab
- Experiential Learning
FORMAT COMMENTS: Lecture/Lab/Experiential Learning
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 1
PREREQUISITES:
PSYO 2000.03 or equivalent with a grade of B+ or higher,
PSYO 3502.03, admission to the honours program, and instructor's consent.
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4501.03
RESTRICTIONS: Restricted to Honours Neuroscience students in their graduating year.
EXCLUSIONS: NESC 4500.06
NESC 4502 Honours Thesis II
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Under a staff member’s supervision, each student conducts original research in psychology. Students meet as a class to describe their proposed research and progress. A formal written report of the completed research is required. The final grade is based on originality and skill with emphasis on the written and oral reports. Please note: admission requires that the student has secured a willing supervisor.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED.
NOTES: This course must be taken in the same academic year as
NESC 4501.03 and no credit can be given for one course without the other. The work undertaken in
NESC 4502.03 should be a continuation of that initiated in
NESC 4501.03. A grade will be given for
NESC 4501.03 only after
NESC 4502.03 is completed.
FORMAT:
- Lecture
- Lab
- Experiential Learning
FORMAT COMMENTS: Lecture/Lab/Experiential Learning
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 1
PREREQUISITES:
PSYO 2000.03 or equivalent with a grade of B+ or higher,
PSYO 3502.03, admission to the honours program, and instructor's consent.
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4502.03
RESTRICTIONS: Restricted to Honours Neuroscience students in their graduating year.
EXCLUSIONS: NESC 4500.06
NESC 4587 Topics in the History of Neuroscience
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course examines the history of the attempts to find the neurobiological basis for human thought and behaviour. This involves the examination of the theories, methods and experimental data which have attempted to link neural activity with thought and behaviour. Historical documents and web-based resources are used to examine original sources.
FORMAT: Seminar
PREREQUISITES:
PSYO 1011.03 or
PSYO 1012.03 or equivalent, or instructor's consent
EXCLUSIONS:
HSTC 4301.03
NESC 4670 Behavioural Neuro(epi)genetics and Genomics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This senior seminar course examines the primary scientific literature on the use of (epi)genetic techniques to study the molecular and cellular bases of behaviour. Transgenic-technology is discussed combined with recent advances in next-generation biological techniques (e.g., DNA/RNA methylome sequencing, optogenetics) and genome editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9) tools for investigation of neural circuits underlying brain function.
NOTES: Course aimed at NESC Honours students
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: This seminar emphasizes student presentations and group discussion. During most classes, students will present and discuss primary scientific literature.
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 0
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 0
RESTRICTIONS: NESC Honours student, Instructor permission required.
NESC 4705 Neurotechnology Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship
CREDIT HOURS: 3
An introduction to neurotechnology, clinical neuroscience, and commercialization. Topics include neuroimaging methods; diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of nervous system-related disorders; the process of innovation; and business fundamentals. Features guest lectures by successful scientists and entrepreneurs, as well as hands-on workshops and lab exercises on business and neurotechnology topics
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Lecture
FORMAT COMMENTS: Lectures, supplemented with occasional demonstrations, lab exercises, and group activities
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: Two full years of undergraduate University study, plus instructor's consent.
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4705.03,
SCIE 4705
EXCLUSIONS:
PSYO 7705.06
NESC 4740 Topics in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
CREDIT HOURS: 3
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
FORMAT: Seminar
FORMAT COMMENTS: Seminar 2 hours
PREREQUISITES:
NESC 2470.03/
PSYO 2470.03,
NESC 2140.03/
PSYO 2140.03
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4740.03
NESC 4901 Honours Foundation
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Under a faculty member’s supervision, each student conducts original research in Neuroscience. Students meet as a class to describe their proposed research and progress. A presentation of the research proposal and formal written report are both required. Students are expected to begin their project during fall term and final grade will reflect presentation, written proposal and lab work/skills development. Students must receive a grade of B- or higher in 4901 in order to continue into 4902. Students who do not receive a B- or higher in 4901 will be removed from the Honours degree.
NOTES: This course must be taken in the same academic year as
NESC 4902.03. A minimum grade of B- or higher is required in
NESC 4901.03 to continue on in
NESC 4902.03. Student who do not achieve the minimum grade in
NESC 4901.03 will be removed from
NESC 4902.03 and not permitted to continue in the Honours program. The work undertaken in
NESC 4902.03 should be a continuation of that initiated in
NESC 4901.03.
FORMAT: Seminar
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
COREQUISITES:
PSYO 3502.03
PREREQUISITES: Instructor Approval (see Academic Calendar for Honours Admission Requirements)
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4901.03
RESTRICTIONS: NESC and PSYO majors only
EXCLUSIONS:
NESC 4501.03,
PSYO 4501.03, NESC 4500.06, PSYO 4500.06
NESC 4902 Honours Thesis
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Under a faculty member’s supervision, each student conducts original research in psychology. Students meet as a class to describe their research projects and ongoing progress. A formal written report of the completed thesis is required. Final grade will reflect written thesis and lab work/skills development. Students must receive a grade of B- or higher in 4901 in order to continue into 4902. Students who do not receive a B- or higher in 4901 will be removed from the Honours degree.
NOTES: This course must be taken in the same academic year as
PSYO 4901.03. A minimum grade of B- or higher is required in
PSYO 4901.03 to continue on in
PSYO 4902.03. Student who do not achieve the minimum grade in
PSYO 4901.03 will be removed from
PSYO 4902.03 and not permitted to continue in the Honours program. The work undertaken in
PSYO 4902.03 should be a continuation of that initiated in
PSYO 4901.03.
FORMAT: Seminar
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES:
NESC 4901.03 with B- or higher and Instructor Approval (see Academic Calendar for Honours Admission Requirements)
CROSS-LISTING:
PSYO 4902.03
RESTRICTIONS: NESC and PSYO majors only
EXCLUSIONS:
NESC 4502.03,
PSYO 4502.03, NESC 4500.06, PSYO 4500.06